Sexual Harassment & Gender-Based Discrimination

The Sexual Harassment & Gender-based Discrimination spoke values the fundamental dignity and quality of all people. Sexual harassment behaviors such as unwanted touching, jokes and slurs, and unwelcome questions contribute to a feeling of fear and trepidation. This is amplified when women experience unfair treatment, shame, marginalization, and blatant disregard due to their gender. According to research, either or both of these experiences diminish a woman’s sense of self-respect, confidence, and security. For women to speak up and lead out, and even just participate in society as an equal contributor, they need to feel safe and respected. This spoke will focus on ways that Utah can decrease sexual harassment and a variety of other types of gender-based discrimination.

Spoke Leaders

Bold Vision & Goals

To make Utah a place where more girls and women can thrive, the Sexual Harassment & Gender-Based Discrimination spoke leaders and partners have crafted the vision and goals below. Spoke leadership and UWLP team members are currently working to collect baseline data that will assist in adding numbers to the changes we want to see by 2026 and 2030.

Vision: Significantly decrease sexual harassment and other types of gender-based discrimination so Utah girls and women can participate in society as equal contributors with self-respect and security.

Goals: 

1. Increase awareness of the harms of sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination. [Data Forthcoming]
2. Improve attitudes around sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination. [Data Forthcoming]
3. Increase awareness of resources for those experiencing sexual harassment and how to successfully report an incident. [Data Forthcoming]
4. Increase confidence in how organizations respond to and mitigate sexual harassment. [Data Forthcoming]
5. Increase data and longitudinal research around the prevalence of sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination by conducting at least two comprehensive, statewide studies on sexual harassment incidents, requiring employers to report sexual harassment data to UALD. [Data forthcoming]
6. Increase public policy addressing sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination by implementing two of UWLP policy recommendations
7. Increase reporting ofsexual harassment or gender-based discrimination. (Note: while this may seem counterintuitive, a temporary increase in reporting would mean more people are recognizing sexual harassment as actionable and feel comfortable reporting.) [Data Forthcoming]
8. Increase the number of companies adhering to recommended policies that mitigatesexual harassment and gender-based discrimination. [Data Forthcoming]
9. Increasing the quality and quantity of trainings across all sectors. [Data Forthcoming]

Partners